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Some Things I Think I Think: ABS challenges have made the game better — and more entertaining
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- Some Things I Think I Think: ABS challenges have made the game better — and more entertaining
∗ When Major League Baseball introduced the ABS challenge system for the 2026 season, the goal was as simple as it was obvious: to get the calls right.
It was the same thought process behind the replay challenge system, which was unveiled for the 2014 season. With the available technology, it seemed ridiculous to not have a process by which teams could get improper calls overturned.
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But less than a week into this season, it’s clear that ABS promises more than just the correct ball and strike calls; there’s also an entertainment quotient making games more compelling.
The challenge system is not only capable of turning strikes into balls — and vice versa — but also introducing new levels of strategy and drama.
Teams must be smart about retaining challenges for late in the game. Doing so helped the Red Sox win on Opening Day in Cincinnati , and two days later, the failure to preserve a challenge for the later innings ultimately helped cost them a game. The Sox were left with no safeguards against C.B. Bucknor’s imprecise strike zone — and they had only themselves to blame.
But the system also produces moments of great tension. The instant a catcher or hitter taps his hat to signal a challenge, the entire ballpark — managers, players and fans — turns to the video board in the outfield to watch the outcome of the ruling. If the call favors the home team, the ballpark erupts in a mixture of joy and relief. Conversely, a call that goes against the home team results in widespread booing and a collective groan.
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The best part? How quickly a determination is rendered. From challenge to result, the entire process takes about 10 seconds.
Before the year is out, we’re undoubtedly going to see a challenge end a game. Maybe it will be a called (and overturned) third strike for the 27th out, or perhaps, a bases-loaded walk will deliver the winning run. It’s fun to envision.
Baseball has undergone significant on-field changes over the past decade, from instant replay to the pitch clock to, now, the ABS challenge. The game has managed to survive the introduction of technology to improve the game — contrary to what the purists warned.
But none of the previous changes had the sort of impact this one has. Yes, the most important aspect here is to get things right. But as an added bonus, strategy and entertainment are a part of this latest innovation.
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∗ For all the talk about the Celtics not adapting well since Jayson Tatum returned to their lineup, they are 7-3 in the 10 games he’s played. And while the offense hasn’t been as smooth as they may have liked, maybe it was inevitable that there would be some glitches.
And anyone suggesting that they would somehow be better off without a Top 10 player like Tatum is being contrarian.
∗ The second chapter of Tiger Woods’ life is pretty much an ongoing bit of Shakespearean tragedy.
∗ If you can figure out the Bruins, let me know. In the span of a week, they pulled off impressive come-from-behind road wins against two quality teams ( Detroit and Buffalo), and in between, were flat, at home, against a checked-out Toronto team.
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That said, their ability to play up to the level of their competition might serve them well should they make the playoffs. That, and of course, the potential for Jeremy Swayman to steal a series. Or two.
∗ The first Netflix baseball telecast was, predictably, a little bumpy. The score bug on the screen was too small and disappeared at times and the interview with commissioner Rob Manfred was forced and frothy. Worst of all were the hosts, who seemed intent on reminding us that we were watching A Really Big Event. It was not. It’s inevitable that MLB is going to want to expand its universe, but there’s a tradeoff for such thinking.
∗ Maybe someday we’ll understand why the WNBA worked so hard to keep the Connecticut Sun out of the Boston market. Seems like a huge miscalculation on the part of the league. Yes, Houston is a bigger TV market at this point, but it would have been smarter to have a franchise playing in New England, piggybacking on the Celtics’ brand.
∗ Cam Schlittler is going to make life miserable for the Red Sox for a long time.
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∗ Now that the cost of NBA expansion franchises are projected to run as high as $7-10 billion, word is Fenway Sports Group is having second thoughts. They had been considered prime candidates to own the franchise in Las Vegas, with lots of real estate development plans as part of the package. A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that FSG is “not actively engaged in the process.”
But once some franchises changes hands — the Celtics sold for $6.1 billion — the NBA realized it had been undervaluing expansion fees, and FSG is balking at the new numbers.
∗ What are we to make of David Pastrnak’s goal-scoring drop-off? Barring an incredible scoring streak over the final 10 games, he’s on pace to finish with his fewest number of goals ever in a full season. It’s not hard to figure out why: Pastrnak is simply shooting less, likely to finish under 300 shots on goal for the first time since 2019-20.
On the plus side, he’s virtually guaranteed to set a career high for most assists – he’s two shy of tying his best mark of 63.
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∗ You’d think Tom Brady, age 48, would have enough going on in his life and better things to do than make cryptic comments about a comeback.
∗ An example of Roman Anthony ’s unique maturity and awareness: After Thursday’s opener, I approached him near the middle of the visitor’s clubhouse to talk about his ABS challenge in the ninth inning. Soon, we were joined by a half-dozen or so other reporters, including two TV cameras. As Anthony answered a question, he paused and put his hand up.
“Let’s move over here,” he suggested, as he shifted so that he was standing in front of his own locker. It was then that I realized that Anthony had done that so that no teammates across the room would be caught unaware, on camera, as they undressed.
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